Wrong:
Wrong
by Shirlz

The first thing I noticed was that ‘he’ was there, sitting close to her and holding her hand. He was supposed to be letting her live a normal life, one which didn’t include him. From where I was standing it didn’t look like that was happening.

"Mom? I thought you were in LA. What are you doing here?"

"Willow called me. What happened Buffy? Was it.."

"No Mom. Angel, would you go and get the others? I assume they are all here."

"They were Buff." He leant forward and kissed her gently before standing up and moving to the door. "I won’t be long."

I waited for him to leave.

"What’s he doing here?"

"Don’t start! Angel and I love each other. You’ll just have to deal."

"Don’t use that tone with me."

"Back off Mom!"

Angel and the others came back into the room. He made his way back to Buffy’s side and sought out her hand.

"What’s all this about Buffster?"

"That’s what I’d like to know."

I saw Buffy throw Giles a look. It said both ‘help me’ and ‘forgive me’. I wondered what on earth it was she had to say.

"Angel and I haven’t exactly been honest with you all. Yes, Angel and I are back together but there is more to it than that." She looked at him for assurance. He squeezed her hand tenderly and nodded. "Angel and I are going to be parents."

I thought I was going to faint. My little girl was pregnant, and by a vampire.

"Are you sure Buffy?"

"Positive. That’s why I’m here. I’ve got...what was it again Angel?"

"Pre-eclampsia. She’s got to stay here, rest and be monitored. I’m taking over patrol."

I moved to her other side.

"Buffy. Pre-eclampsia is serious. Haven’t you had any antenatal care?"

"Not really. Giles? Remember that medical friend of yours? The one who fixes us up without asking questions?"

"Yes."

"For a price he’ll sideline. I bought my 18 week scan and his silence."

"Oh Buffy! Why didn’t you say anything?"

"What could I??? I could hardly go to the clinic and say ‘I’m pregnant by my vampiric boyfriend’. This baby is going to be different. It’s got a Slayer for a mother and a ensouled vampire for a father. Who knows what qualities it will inherit from us. All Angel and I do know is that together we are going to raise this baby. We’re going to love it and care for it. The only problem we do have is that we have just 18 weeks to bind Angel’s soul, maybe less. Who’s to say what full term is for a pregnancy like mine."

This was all going over my head. Buffy had only had back street medical care and Angel need his soul to be bound.

"I’m not happy about this Buffy."

She turned on me, her voice full of venom.

"No Mom, you’re never happy about anything you can’t control. You told Angel to leave me. However much I love you I’ll never forgive you for that. For the pain you put me through. And you Xander. Standing there glaring at us. I can’t help the way you feel about me and I can’t help that I don’t feel the same about you. How many times do we have to go through this? How many times do I have to go through this with you all? You all mean so much to me. Why can’t you try and see it my way?"

"Buffy Honey, this isn’t doing your blood pressure any good." I was worried at the state she was getting in.

"Your Mom’s right." Willow interjected.

Angel sat on the bed and gathered her to him so that her back rested against his chest, his arms encompassing her. Instantly the tension seemed to drain from her. She looked peaceful. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head and then rested his chin there. I was touched by how tenderly he treated her and how much trust she had in him. The love that radiated from them was ethereal. I had been blind!

"I owe you both an apology." Buffy looked at me with surprise but allowed me to continue. "All this time I’ve been thinking of Angel as Angelus. I wanted to protect you from what I saw as an evil influence. I was wrong. Angel isn’t Angelus. I give you both my blessing."

"Thanks Mom. I know how hard that was for you. I don’t know how long I’ve got. I’ve already outlived the life expectancy of most Slayers. But what I have got I want to spend with my family and friends. Guys?"

Xander was the first to speak.

"You’d better take care of them Angel. If you don’t then I’ll stake you myself."

"I’d hand you the stake." Angel joked.

Oz, who had remained silent up to know, summed his feelings up in two words. "It’s cool."

As each person in the room gave them their support Buffy’s smile grew wider. I was happy for them. Giles spoke up.

"I suggest we let Buffy get some rest. Why don’t we adjourn to the library and do some research into Angel’s curse? Angel you can join us after patrol if you wish."

"If it’s not too close to dawn I will."

Tonight had been a revelation to me. Buffy had a support network of friends who would do everything in their power to help her a Watcher who looked on her as a daughter and the love of a man who would lay down his life for her if the need arose. And stupidly I had chosen to ignore what was so obvious. Buffy was right I liked to be in control but not any more.

"Mr Giles?"

"Yes Mrs Summers?"

"Please, it’s Joyce. I was just wondering if you could use some more help with the research?"

"Yes we could Joyce. And if I am going to call you that then please call me Giles."

To Be Continued

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